What are the top 10 ski resorts in the United States? United States is a place filled with awesome sites to visit and ski resorts are the significant ones among them. Here, we present you with the top 10 ski resorts in the United States – 2014 list according to Forbes. To determine the best resorts, Forbes uses a method called Pure Awesomeness Factor, or PAF. The PAF score is still the best and proven way to scientifically measure the features of the ski resorts. So, get ready for the rush! While you read our article, we recommend you to go to our previous article on World’s Top 10 Ski Resorts.
10. Solitude, Utah
PAF Score: 81.7
Solitude Mountain Resort is one of the smaller ski resorts among top 10 ski resorts in the United States – 2014 list. It is located in the Big Cottonwood Canyon of the Wasatch Mountains; near Salt Lake City, which is a family-oriented mountain, with 70% of beginner and intermediate slopes.
9. Telluride, Colorado
PAF Score: 82.1
Telluride Ski Resort is the best choice to spend both the summer and winter vacations in Colorado. It is a top-notch Colorado ski resort situated on the beautiful San Juan Mountains in Telluride. The adventurers can enjoy the most beautiful mountain views with full of exciting activities like skiing, golfing, snowboarding, enjoy the world-class events, lodging, dining, shopping, spas and free transportation.
8. Grand Targhee, Wyoming
PAF Score: 83.8
Grand Targhee Resort is a year round mountain resort located in the western slope of the Tetons in Alta, Wyoming. It is incessantly prominent for immense snow, authentic western hospitality, family-friendly atmosphere, picturesque beauty and excellent value. Visitors can also learn more about native wildlife, flora and fauna by joining the Resort Naturalist on daily snowshoe tours.
7. Mammoth Mountain, California
PAF Score: 84.5
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is a large ski resort situated on Eastern California, which has more than 3,500 acres of skiable territory, overhauled by 28 lifts, including 4 ski lodges and 3 gondolas. A vertical rise of 3,100 feet and an average snowfall of over 33 feet per year make the visitors to enjoy a long ski season. Among the 8 unbound terrain parks, Unbound Main is one of the major attractions of the ski resort and is highly praised by extreme snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts.
6. Vail, Colorado
PAF Score: 86.1
Vail Ski Resort is the second largest single mountain ski resort in the United States, which is located in Eagle County, Colorado. Having more than 5,289 acres of skiable terrain, seven legendary Back Bowls straddling seven miles and the most groomed terrain on the planet, it is an amazing winter vacation destination for passionate skiers and snowboarders.
5. Squaw Valley, California
PAF Score: 86.2
Squaw Valley Ski Resort is one of the Top 10 Ski Resorts in the United States – 2014 List, located in Olympic Valley, California. It was the host site of the entire 1960 Winter Olympics. It has 3,600 acres of skiable terrain with 30 chairlifts. The resort attracts approximately 600,000 skiers a year and the tourists also can enjoy access to the facilities, including a pool, roller skating, dining, shopping, and high-altitude disk golf.
4. Alyeska Resort, Alaska
PAF Score: 86.4
Alyeska Resort is part of the Chugach mountain range in Girdwood, Alaska. It is a fairly challenging mountain having 6 chairlifts, 1 high-speed tram and 2 Magic Carpets. The interconnected buildings contain the Roundhouse, a quick-service cafeteria and the Seven Glaciers 4-star restaurant and bar. It has a much higher percentage of advanced and expert runs, which is not apposite for the novice skiers or snowboarders.
3. Alta, Utah
PAF Score: 88.6
Alta Ski Resort is a ski area of 2,200 acres in the western United States, located in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. It is well-known for being very high altitude of 8,530 ft rises to 10,550 ft for a vertical gain and receives huge snow with an average annual snowfall of 514 inches. Having 2 detachable quad chairs, 1 detachable triple chair, 1 triple chair, 3 double chairs and 5 surface tows, this ski terrain is classified as 25% Beginner, 40% Intermediate and 35% Advanced.
2. Snowbird, Utah
PAF Score: 92.8
Snowbird ski resort is the second of Top 10 Ski Resorts in the United States – 2014 List. It is a year-round ski and summer resort located in the middle of the Wasatch National Forest, Utah. It has a skiable area of 2,500 acres, a vertical drop of 3,240 ft with an elevation of above 11,000 ft and 500 inches of snowfall per year. Presently it has 10 chairlifts, a surface lift, an aerial tram and a 600 ft tunnel allowing easier access for beginners and intermediates to new terrain.
1. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wyoming
PAF Score: 94.6
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort ranks the first among Top 10 Ski Resorts in the United States – 2014 List, located in Teton Village, Wyoming. It is renowned for its challenging terrain with 4,100 vertical feet of skiing, which is rated 50% expert, 40% intermediate and 10% beginner. Also in the summer, the resort offers several activities for the visitors, such as mountain biking, hiking and paragliding.
